I am an Indian and a frequent visitor to Sri Lanka. I am absolutely in love with this country and its wonderful people. An experience on August 27 further endeared the country to me.
Returning from Kandy with a fellow Indian, I landed at the Premadasa stadium on an impulse hoping to see the 4th ODI between India and Sri Lanka. We had no tickets for the match but were happy to take a chance. To our disappointment the match was sold out.
Like all cricket lovers, we refused to give up easily. We hung around hoping for a miracle, when a police officer came up and asked if we were Indian. He took it upon himself to have us see the match, tickets or no tickets.
He took us into the middle of the stadium and found us some prize seats, bang in the middle of Sri Lanka’s most ardent and happy supporters.
We had a complete blast enjoying the heroics of Raina and the magic of Mendis. The catchy beat of the drums and rhythmic chants added to the atmosphere. Sri Lanka may have lost the series but it won our hearts big time.
An ordinary policeman did something extraordinary. In a spontaneous act of courtesy and friendship, he became his country’s goodwill ambassador.
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